We went to a Christmas party yesterday.  Kalli, my kindergartener, had to investage this person – Santa Claus.  First he said that Rudolf was on the roof. So guess where Kalli went?  She came in and informed us that in fact Rudolf was not on the roof. To which Mrs Claus told her that he was on the other side of the roof.  No, said Kalli because she checked the entire roof.  More investation would have to be conducted and the perfect time would be when Santa left.  Although I tried to interest Kalli in the movie that was playing, she was on a mission.  She informed me that Rudolf definetly was not on the roof and she also showed me the vehicle that Santa got in.  Later that night, with Santa still on her mind she asked: “Daddy, is Santa real?”  She could of asked me where babies came from and I may have been more comfortable.  I told her that Santa was fun, just like Whoville was fun and Llama Llama was fun.  I told her not to tell her classmates, but I suspect that will be a converstion she will have to have with her teacher today.   

Psalm Study
Grammar

Word of the Day
tautology   tau·tol·o·gi  Noun
Unnecessary repetition of an idea, especially in different words, 2. In logic, a compound statement that is always true, irrespective of the value of its components.

In the OJ trial a statement was made: “The weapon is in Chicago or somewhere else.”    Using tautology you can really mess with someones head – which on certain occasions I like to do. -lol  It appears this is a tactic of lawyers.   

What is your tautology?

I’m amazed at this young lady.  Her parents instructed her in how to get through a really ugly situation.
1.  Her Dad instructed her that she needed a “voice”.  Elizabeth didn’t know how to respond when people asked her, “What happened?”  Also while they were in church a lady cornered Elizabeth in a bathroom and made mean comments to her, accusing her of being the one in the wrong.  Elizabeth developed a “voice” to evil.
2.  Her parents instructed her not to relive the past and to inform others that she was not going to relive it. 
3.  She forgave and let it go. 

Psalms Study 

Word of the Day

We’re getting our foster boys back today. They have been in respite because of Kim’s surgery.  She’s doing a little better.  I’m headed to Honor Bound.

Pslams Study

Word of the Day
Assiduous [as·sid·u·ous] adj.  1. Constant in application or attention; diligent: “An assiduous worker who strove for perfection.”  2. Unceasing; persistent: “Assiduous cancer research.”

Tramp Christmas Letter 2010
Take the Tramp Test         See how much you know about us.

1. At work this year, Kristina did which of the following? 
a. Took apart a cell phone and put it back together blind folded  
b. Sat on top a bill board for 24 straight hours
c. Won a Kindle for selling the most Cell phones
Answer:  If you answered c you are right – Congratulations Kristina

2. In a surprise move, Alicia:
a. Announced she was moving to China
b. Colored her hair purple 
c. Spent her birthday in California with her best friend
Answer:  No purple hair and no moving to China -yet

3. Kalli spends most of her time doing?
a. Being a good little Llama, Llama
b. Learning to Read
c.  With the older girls a lot
Answer:  Llama, Llama is impatient, so that is a correct answer. Kalli loves to read and she’s with the older girls a lot. 
 
4. Our best vacation time this year was:
a. Hiking in the Rocky Mountains
b. Disney Land
c. Sky Diving
Answer:  Hiking & Sky Diving – Yea Right   Disney Land was so much fun
 
5. Baby 1 and Baby 2 are:
a. Kim had twins 
b. Friends of Austin 
c. Bailey & Bentley
Answer:  No miracle happened, so c is correct.  Bailey and Bentley – puppies of Danielle & Alicia  Although we’d love to see Baby 1 and Baby 2 (my nickname) Cody is allergic to dogs

6. In vowing not to put us through any more torture Noah:
a. Stopped shooting us with his nerf gun
b. Did his chores with a smile on his face
c. Wants to do more chores at home
Actually Noah is growing up and all three are correct.  Noah can’t wait until he can vacuum. The smile on his face while doing the chores happens when he’s finished.

7. Danielle does the following in her non-spare time:
a. Watched a brain surgery operation
b. In college for nursing
c. Has the world’s record of hanging up on people
I don’t doubt she may have watched a TV show that showed brain surgery because she’s been interested in the medical field since she’s been young.  So all three are correct

8. Without doubt Austin is at his best when he’s:
a. fishing
b. casting
c. spinning
Since all three have to do with fishing, you picked the right one.           (Continued other side)

9.  Alisha Dawn spends a lot of time:
a. In the past
b. The day before today
c. The day after two days ago
Yes, you are correct again.  She works at Yesterday’s as a waitress.

10. What is our foster baby, Aaron best at?
a. Keeping up with his brother Tristan
b. Really keeping up with his brother Tristan
c. Really, Really keeping up with his brother Tristan
We’ve enjoyed both Aaron & Tristan, both our Foster children.  They are great little boys.
Aaron is 11 months old and Tristan is 19 months old.  Aaron just started walking – I mean running. 

11. In keeping in touch with Brooke we have to?
a. Email
b. Text
c. Facebook
All the above, but texting is the best.  She’s twenty now, lives in Huron and is doing well.

12.  What is Cody (2 years old) going to be when he grows up?
a. A Teacher
b. A Musician
c. A Carpenter
We don’t know since he won’t tell us, but he sure loves music, hitting things (and sometimes people) with his plastic hammer and getting after you if you need it or not.

13.  What is the favorite past time of Kim & Randy
a. Getting away together
b. Going somewhere together
c. Dates on Sunday night
We sure did enjoy our anniversary and Kim’s birthday by getting away together.

14.  The future Tramp plans?
a. Pick out great vacation spots
b. Fostering
c. Watching our children graduate
As a family we love vacation.  We will continue to foster parent children. We had several this past year and we miss them.  Alisha Dawn will be a senior next year so all three answers are correct.

Psalms Study

Word of the Day

Chagrin [cha·grin] n.  A keen feeling of mental unease, as of annoyance or embarrassment, caused by failure, disappointment, or a disconcerting event.

I like the word pensive, it’s an emotion word, much like liminal.  I was in deep thought last night, a pensive mood.  I had spent the entire day at Social Services, on a review team of all the foster kids of this area.  I can’t get over the fact that so many children are hurting.  It haunts me. 

Here is my question:  How can we elevate the importance of children to a throw away society? 

Psalms Study

Word of the Day

I watched a show the other night that was about a sex offender getting killed.  (fictitious) The sex offender was 19 and the girl was 15 at the time.  It was consensual until the parents got involved.  This 19 year old was harassed by the police. Flyers were put up demanding that he leave there neighborhood.  The show raised many questions in my mind.  How can we as a society balance “protecting our children” and the rights of all citizens?   Should our sex offender’s “label” be reserved for certain ages? 

How would you respond if a sex offender moved in your neighborhood? 

Psalms Study

Word of the Day

 Kim, my wife, is having surgery today to have her gall blader removed. Prayers appreciated. 

Word of the Day

Psalms Study (Don’t follow what is bogus.)

Our putting an x after a letter to symbolize a kiss came from a medieval practice.  In order to indicate good faith and honesty, the sign of Saint Andrew was placed after the signature on all important documents.  The sign is like the letter x. 
Contracts and agreements were not binding without this symbol. Then the person was required to kiss it.  Over the centuries the good faith and honesty has been forgotten.

Woolgathering is something I did when I was younger, now that I’m older my engine never idles. 

Psalms Study 

Word of the Day

The birthday party for John (Kim’s Dad) was really good.  I have never seen him smile so much.  A lot of people showed up despite the bad weather.  He wanted a accordian band so he got that band and they weren’t too bad.  Gulosity is one word I’d rather not talk about.           Accordian Band

Psalms Study

Word of the Day

• goo-LAH-suh-tee

noun

We got ahead of the snow and ice and we’re in Aberdeen. (3 1/2 hour drive)  Kim’s dad is turning 75 and we’ve have a birthday party for him at 1 this afternoon.  We were amazed he agreed to this.  We piled 7 of us into a 2 bed room and so far so good.  I pray we all stay in a state of comity.

Word of the Day

noun

Psalms Study

Do you use “omg”?   It made me think of it from my Psalms study.